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Croydon Athletic appoint former Crystal Palace coach Keith Millen as new manager

We are delighted to announce Keith Millen as the new manager of AFC Croydon Athletic! A seasoned football coach with vast experience, Keith brings a wealth of knowledge to our club and strengthens our ties to the South London community.

Keith joins us with an impressive background, having managed Bristol City full-time and taken on caretaker roles at Crystal Palace, MK Dons, and others. His connection to South London runs deep, being born and raised in Croydon, and his appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Rams.

Our club, proudly co-owned by Wilfried Zaha and Stormzy, has always been rooted in Croydon pride. Wilfried, currently on loan at Lyon from Galatasaray, and Stormzy, who grew up in South Norwood and attended Stanley Tech (now Harris Academy South Norwood), have worked tirelessly alongside Danny Young to lead AFC Croydon Athletic to success. Under their ownership, we achieved promotion through the play-offs in our first season and continue to build on that momentum.

Keith’s career highlights include managing Örgryte IS in Sweden and Carlisle United, as well as amassing over 500 appearances as a player with Brentford, Watford, and Bristol City. He also served as a caretaker manager for Crystal Palace on three occasions, stepping in during critical moments in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Most recently, Keith has worked as a coach educator with the FA, a role he will continue part-time while managing AFC Croydon Athletic.

His deep ties to Crystal Palace also extend to our squad, with several players emerging from the Palace academy, including Nya Kirby, a member of England’s Under-17 World Cup-winning team in 2017.

The Rams have shown incredible resilience this season, going on a 10-game unbeaten run under interim player-manager Michael Kamara, who will now step into the Assistant Manager role. We also thank co-owner Danny Young for stepping in to guide the team during a critical period.

AFC Croydon Athletic plays at the Mayfield Road Stadium in Thornton Heath, a venue with a capacity of 3,000 and located just a short walk from Selhurst Park. We are proud to represent this community and continue to grow as a club.

Keith shared his enthusiasm for the role: “I’ve known Danny for many years and had the privilege of working with Wilf during my time at Crystal Palace. Being a Croydon native, this opportunity felt like a natural fit. Crystal Palace will always be my team, but Croydon is where my heart is.”

He added: “This role aligns perfectly with my current work with the PFA in the region. Coaching remains my passion, and this part-time position gives me the chance to continue developing players, some of whom I’ve worked with before. I’m excited to be part of this journey with AFC Croydon Athletic.”

We look forward to the journey ahead with Keith at the helm and can’t wait to see the team thrive under his leadership. Come on you Rams!